As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself less interested in tallying accomplishments than in sitting quietly with what they add up to. Not numbers or headlines, but a feeling. A sense of momentum. A deep, steady reassurance that what we are building together at CFFC matters—and that it’s lasting.

This year was not simply busy. It was intentional. Growth, community, and purpose didn’t arrive as separate achievements; they braided themselves together, shaping a year that felt cohesive in the way meaningful lives and meaningful organizations do. Each new subscriber, Meetup attendee, volunteer, and social follower didn’t just expand our reach—they expanded our story. With every new connection, the community became less abstract and more human. More voices, more laughter, more shared resolve.

That sense of shared resolve was never clearer than in our merger with the Florida Humanist Association. It wasn’t merely an organizational decision; it was a philosophical one. By uniting our boards, our operations, and our vision, we chose collaboration over fragmentation and possibility over comfort. From that choice emerged FREEFLO—now proudly hosted by CFFC—a biennial gathering that has become one of Central Florida’s most vibrant expressions of freethought, education, and activism.

FREEFLO 2025 was, in every sense, a weekend where ideas met heart. Freethinkers from across the state filled rooms with conversation that crackled—with curiosity, disagreement, laughter, and learning. The conference ran smoothly, yes, but more importantly, it ran generously. The revenue it generated allowed us to fund scholarships for student leaders, turning intellectual energy into tangible investment in the future of our movement. Few things feel more aligned with our values than that.

Our commitment to young leaders extended beyond the conference. The Board’s approval of three $2,000 Secular Student Alliance scholarships was not symbolic—it was a promise. A recognition that freethought does not sustain itself automatically; it is nurtured, mentored, and supported by those who came before. Supporting student leadership is how we make sure the future remains curious, courageous, and compassionate.

And compassion showed up everywhere this year. In 350 events—yes, 350—we gathered to learn, to serve, to celebrate, and sometimes simply to be together. Our programming was intentionally multi-track, reflecting the reality that no one way of showing up fits everyone. Educational talks, social events, activism, volunteering—each offered a different doorway into belonging. Over time, those doorways became friendships. Those friendships became community.

That community did not stay inside meeting rooms. We carried our values into civic spaces, delivering 14 secular invocations at government meetings throughout Central Florida, affirming that nonreligious voices belong in public life. We served alongside one another at environmental cleanups, at Second Harvest, through STEM drives and snack pack donations. These were not grand gestures. They were steady ones—the kind that quietly shape a more humane world.

Our monthly speaker series reminded us why ideas matter. Artists, advocates, policymakers, and thinkers stood before us and asked us to reconsider assumptions, to examine evidence, to live more thoughtfully. From deeply personal stories of self-discovery to conversations about policy, science, and skepticism, speakers like Njeri Kinuthia, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Judith Smelser, Hemant Mehta, and David McRaney didn’t just inform us—they invited us into better questions. Our community rose to that invitation every time.

We also showed up—visibly, proudly—at Earth Day, Veg Fest, Peace Day, Orlando Pride, and Veterans Day. We marched, tabled, and talked with strangers who quickly became something else. In doing so, we reminded Central Florida that freethought is not cold or distant. It is warm, engaged, and deeply human.

Our advocacy work, in partnership with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, brought meaningful progress in church-state separation. These victories—quietly ensuring fairness at school graduations or removing unconstitutional religious displays—may not always make headlines, but they protect the principle that belief should never be coerced. They matter because fairness matters.

Behind the scenes, we laid important groundwork for the future. Hiring a new Volunteer and Operations Manager will bring continuity and care to our daily work. Implementing an advanced CRM system will help us maintain stronger, more meaningful relationships. Expanding our digital capabilities will allow our message—and our events—to reach further than ever before.

Equally important were the bridges we built. Our interfaith collaborations deepened, grounded in the understanding that shared values often outweigh differing beliefs. Through dialogue and joint events, we strengthened the fabric of an inclusive Central Florida—one stitched together not by uniformity, but by mutual respect.

As I reflect on this year, I feel profound pride—not just in what we did, but in who we were while doing it. In a region where many nonbelievers feel isolated, CFFC continues to offer something quietly radical: genuine support, friendship, and hope. The care I see members show one another speaks volumes. This is a space free from dogma and shame, built instead on curiosity, kindness, and courage.

You deserve belonging. You deserve joy. Thank you for the trust you place in this community, for the time you give, and for the values you live out loud. 2025 was a year of heart, soul, and purpose. Together, we made a difference. Together, we will keep going—stronger, wiser, and more connected than ever.